Page 17 - LandscapeIssue-143

FEATURE

Water features induce a sense of calm, relaxation and connection with Informal, natural area of the garden with diverse colours chosen to lift emotions
nature, reducing stress

chosen to ‘lift emotions and inspire joy’ as one descends to the calm
of the ‘paradise’ garden below.
The ‘paradise’ garden is divided into four equal parts, with water
channels defining the quadrants and converging in an ornamental
pool at its centre. The quadrants represent the four rivers of paradise
mentioned in the Quran and are symbolic of the four seasons, the
four directions and the four elements. They create symmetry and
balance and are enhanced by evergreen plantings; each quadrant is
centered by a tall Cypress tree reaching upwards and providing a ‘link
between heaven and earth’. It is surrounded by a topiaried box in the
shape of an eight-point star, symbolising the inter-connectedness of
all things in nature.
A square pool in the centre of the paradise garden provides a
reference to the source of all creation, and the bowl with four spouts
overflowing into it symbolises the flow of water, wine, milk and
honey that traverse paradise.
The grassed terrace alongside the paradise garden provides a space
for yoga classes, retreats, workshops and celebrations. This space was
defined by the presence of a large London Plane tree that required
space on the ground to balance its bulk in the sky. Opposite this tree,
a steel pergola in the paradise garden provides additional balance, as
well as functioning as a shaded resting place and calm yoga space.
Wondering through a hedge of Raphiolepis and Olive trees, one
reaches a labyrinth garden made up of pavers arranged in a Yin Yang
spiral on the lawn. This garden was also conceived as a feminine
space with mixed plantings of Salvias, Irises, Fuchsias, Euphorbia and
Alstromerias in shades of pink and burgundy. All these gardens were
built from scratch.
The last area on this route through the garden leads back up to
the house via a series of ‘home-made’ staircases that traverse original
terraces; fruit trees and Hydrangeas nestle in the shade, as well as A sweeping stone staircase leading back up to the house. It was also designed
up the sweeping stone staircase edged with white Moonflowers and as a feminine space, with white and pink flowers.
Helichrysum.
The garden leading up to the cardiologist’s rooms is simple and
bold in its planting. Here terraces were built using stone from an built using only organic additives to invigorate and establish a lively
existing rockery to create dramatic swathes of purple Agapanthus microbiome in the soil. It is a safe, peaceful place for all life and has
under a forest of Canthium mundianum trees. attracted birds, insects, lizards, butterflies and bees to the garden. “It
was a unique collaboration with nature,” she concludes.
Creating a healing garden
De la Harpe says that the process of creating a healing garden requires Information and photos supplied by Martine De La Harpe of De La Harpe
practices that are both healthy and sustainable. The Sanctuary was Landscapes. n

Check us out www.salandscape.co.za Landscape SA • Issue 143 2024 15